Author: Lydia Otuyoma
In our world today, we don't have people caring about each other. Everyone is busy with their stuff and we have some people dying in silence.
You can feel sad, downcast, or have more swings as a result of losing someone or something. The feeling of sadness or mourning is different from depression. Depression is a mental illness that is greatly overlooked but is causing havoc in our world.
About 60 percent of suicidal deaths arise from major depression in the United States.
Depression is real and we'll see its different types, causes, symptoms, and possible solutions.
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder or persistent change in a person's mood, behavioral patterns, or acts. An individual suffering from depression may feel downcast, empty, and lonely on the inside.
Depression can be triggered by loss. Sadness that occurs as a part of life is not termed depression.
Depression is clinically diagnosed especially if mood swings are persistent after two weeks. It's an ongoing sickness and tends to relapse.
It can occur in teenagers, youths, and adults. Women are more victims of depression compared to men.
7 Major Types of Depression
There are different types of depression and their respective symptoms that affect the ways you think, act or do things you usually do before. Here are some of them;
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Major Depressive Disorder(MDD): This is a very common type of depression. It is diagnosed if the patient involved had persistent mood swings for two weeks or more.
Symptoms of MDD
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Weight changes.
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Depressive mood.
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A notable change in sleeping patterns.
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Loss of interest in activities that formerly give pleasure.
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Feeling of guilt and loneliness.
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Loss of self-worth.
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Thoughts of suicide.
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Tiredness.
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Persistent Depressive Disorder(PDD): Persistent depressive disorder was formerly known as Dysthymia. It is a chronic disorder that may be mild or severe. In this type, recurrence may be for 2 years or more. In simple terms, there may be brief moments of relief. Unfortunately, this doesn't last more than a month or two. That is why it's persistent like a thorn in the flesh. Although it is not as intense as major depression.
Symptoms of PDD
Treatments of this may involve the use of medication or therapy.
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Bipolar disorder: This type of depression was formerly known as manic depressive disease. Someone suffering from bipolar depression has episodes of depression but often has periods of very high and unusual activity and energy.
Symptoms of Bipolar depression
The risk of suicide in folks suffering from bipolar depression is greater than in other types.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD): This type of depression is termed major depression with seasons of appearance. This is because the individual may be perfectly fine during spring but depressed in winter. It's hard to pinpoint this condition because it is not reported and usually not diagnosed. This may be caused by alterations In normal body functions. Also, change in the chemical composition of the body due to adjustment made as a result of the weather
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Psychotic Depression: Individuals suffering from this have symptoms relative to major depression and the addition of psychotic symptoms.
Symptoms of Psychotic depression
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Hallucinations
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Erroneous beliefs
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Paranoia
Types of depression common to women
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Postpartum or Perinatal Depression: Having a baby for most women has effects on their behavior patterns. It may cause distinctive mood swings, irritability, anger, and more. These are just common mood fluctuations related to pregnancy and may occur up to two weeks after childbirth. Contrary to this, a postpartum recession is long-lasting and more overwhelming.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
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Feelings of sadness
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Trouble bonding with your baby
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Change in appetite
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Hopeless and lonely feelings
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Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
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Losing interest in stuff formerly done.
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Thoughts of suicide
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Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder(PMDD): Premenstrual symptoms include anxiety, food cravings, breast tenderness, irritability, aches, fatigue, and bloating. PMDD usually starts at ovulation and ends when menstruation starts. Its symptoms are different from premenstrual symptoms.
Symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder(PMDD)
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A feeling of stress and anxiety
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Fatigue
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Mood swings often expressed in tears
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Feelings of sadness and hopelessness
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Food cravings
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Lack of concentration
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Anger or irritability.
Effects of depression
Depression may have long-term effects or short-term effects on there of any individual
Short-term effects of depression
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Irritability
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Anxiety
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Lack of focus or concentration
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Change in sleeping patterns(insomnia or hypersomnia)
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Change in eating patterns
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Fatigue
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Weight loss
Long-term effects of depression
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Loss of memory
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Forgetfulness
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Malnutrition
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Suicide
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High blood pressure
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Sexual dysfunction
Possible Cure
Depression is a serious mental illness but treatment is possible.
You can see a doctor or therapist. They'll prescribe the best treatment for you. Here are some tips you can also follow
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Regular exercise. This can also be termed self-help. You can exercise regularly and surround yourself with family or friends that can show you love. This can uplift you from a state of depression
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Therapy. You can visit a health professional that will counsel you. They also address problems and improve your coping skills. Long or short-term therapy is dependent on improvement.
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Medication. This is also carried out by a health care professional. Medications will be prescribed based on the type of depression and risk factors
What next?
A lot of people out there die yearly on account of depression. You can lend a shoulder to a friend or someone you know who is depressed and down mentally. Consult mental health professionals when you notice someone is in need. Speak up. Silence is a killer.
Value mental health and value life.
